Spray nozzle



Feb. 20, B. B. FOGLI-:R 2,542,761

SPRAY NOZZLE Filed oct. 25, 194s /6 l @U Feed .[6 al Feed A l Q /nvenfor .BEM/AMW B. Foei-ER l Byaz'mwtf Patented Feb. 20, 1951 SPRAY NOZZLE Benjamin B. Fogler, Lexington, Mass., assignor to Arthur D. Little, Inc., Cambridge, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application October 25, 1945, Serial No. 624,553

8 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in nozzles of the impingement-jet type.

Nozzles of the impingement-jet type characteristically consist of two opposing nozzles which produce a relatively fiat tangential spray of liquid in a plane at right angles to the axis of the nozzles. These two nozzles are fed from a common source, which divides into two streams, one leading to each nozzle. In conventional construction, it is inevitable that the pipe carrying one of these streams shall intersect the trajectory of the spray of liquid at some point. As a result, the spray striking the pipe at thepoint of intersection coalesces and dribbles down the pipe, running off as drops, or as a stream, of unatomized liquid, and furthermore a coating of the solids (if any there be) in the liquid tends to build up on the pipe at and around the point of intersection.

According to the present invention there is provided an improved nozzle, or, more strictly speaking, nozzle assembly. of the impingementjet type wherein these diculties are entirely eliminated. In this improved nozzle assembly, the two opposed nozzles characteristic of the impingement-jet type of assembly` are mounted upon a feed pipe which runs throughout the length of the assembly; this feed pipe is provided with openings leading into the chamber of that nozzle which is furthest from the feed source, so that the feed to such nozzle actually passes inside of the spray emerging tangentially from the oriiice between the nozzles, and hence such feed pipe is not cut by this spray. The nozzle assembly of this invention is useful for the spraying or atomization of liquids, solutions, and suspensions generally, as in concentrating, spraydrying or spray-cooling, and liquid diffusing operations. lt is intended in particular for operation at low to moderate pressures, e. g., up to about 20) p. s. i., although not exclusively limited thereto. As indicated.w abeve, the nozzle of this invention atcmizes to a degree and to uniform droplet size, especially because of the avoidance oi any pipe or other fittings which cut the trajectory of the spray and thus serve to coalesce some ci the atomized liquid.

This invention will new be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings which represent a typical form of the apparatus, without, however, intending to limit the invention strictly thereto, and wherein:

Fig. l represents a side elevation, partly diagrammatic, of one embodiment of the nozzle and the feed lines; I

Fig. 2 represents a cross-section of the nozzle shown in Fig. 1; and taken along lines 2--2 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 3 represents a section taken along lines 3 3 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 represents a cross section of the upper part (feed end) of another ernbodiment of the nozzle and the feed lines.

Referring now to Figs. l, 2 and 3, there are shown upper and lower nozzles Il) and I I, respectively, mounted concentrically on inlet pipe I2, so as to form two chambers-upper chamber I3 and lower chamber Ill-of generally similar size and shape. Another inlet pipe I5leads into the upper part of chamber I3. The inlet pipes I2 and I5 are fed fromsupply line I6, and are controlled by valves Il and I8 respectively. Inlet pipe I2 extends completely through the nozzle assembly and projects at the opposite or lower end, where it is plugged in any convenient way as shown by numeral 2E] to prevent passage of liquid, and is also threaded at the lower end I9 as shown. A nut is screwed over this threaded end Iii andl into the recessed head 22 of lower nozzle II, tightly against the packing material 23, to provide a leak-proof joint at opening 2li in the lower nozzle where inlet pipe I2 passes through it. Several holes 25 are provided in inlet pipe I2 to permit passage therefrom of liquid into lower chamber I4.

The upper and lower nozzles I9 and I I are held concentrically with inlet pipe I2 by means of any convenient spacing devices, such as disks 25 and 2l provided with holes 2li, as shown in more detail in Fig. 3. These disks may be held in position in any suitable way as by pins 2e. The orifice openings 32, 33 of the upper and lower nozzles, respectively, which open into main orifice 3E! are accordingly maintained in a uniform annular shape. form annular cross-section in any plane at right angles to their axis, and this cross-section increases gradually in size from the orice openings 32, 33 toward the vicinity of the ends of these chambers opposite said orifice openings.

In order to make sure that the assembly is leakproof so that no liquid emerges except at the orifice 35, the joints and connections are packed, as already indicated in regard to the bottom end I9 of inlet pipe I2, or solderede g. at the points of entrance of inlet pipes I2 and IE--or otherwise made tight.

In operation, the liquid to be sprayed is supplied from a source (not shown) to feed pipe l5, whence it divides and passes into inlet pipes I2 and I5. The amounts fed to inlet pipes I2 and Chambers i3 and Iliare of uni I should be substantially equal, otherwise the spray 3| emerging from orifice 3l! will be deflected from a substantially fiat shape and assume a more or less conical shape. Equality in feed is attained by regulation of Valves I I and I8. Liquid entering inlet pipe I2 passes downwardly and into lower` chamber I4 through holes 25, and thence upward through orifice opening 33 to main orifice 30, where it meets liquid which has entered inlet pipe I5 and passed downward through chamber I3 and orifice opening 32. The resulting two streams of liquid form the flat spray trajectory already referred to which is characteristic of impingement-jet nozzles.

The gap of orifice 30 may be adjusted by moving lower nozzle II toward or away from upper nozzle I0. This is readily accomplished by means of nut 2|, since the lower nozzle II is slidably positioned on inlet pipe I2 at opening 24, while disk 3'I is slidably fitted with respect to inlet pipe I2. So also is disk 26, for convenience in assembly.

The nozzle assembly may be held in position merely by inlet pipes I2 and I5, although for greater rigidity it may also be additionally secured or clamped by suitable means attached to the upper (inlet) end of nozzle I0.

Various modifications in the device described above may be made without departing from the scope of this invention as set forth in the appended claims. For example, the exact arrangement of the entrances of inlet pipes I2 and I5 to upper chamber I3 shown in the drawings may be varied, as long as they both enter that chamber without interfering with the spray. Thus, inlet pipe I2 might be led out of the side of the chamber I3 opposite inlet pipe I5, instead of at the end as shown; or pipes I2 and I5 might be arranged concentrically, though still keeping the two feeds separate as hereinabove described.

One such modification is shown in Fig. 4, wherein in place of the two separate feed pipes I2 and I5 of Figs. 1 and 2 a single feed pipe 34 is employed, which is provided with openings 35 leading into upper chamber I3 of upper nozzle I Il. The rest of the nozzle assembly of Fig. 4 which is not shown is of the same form and arrangement as that shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, and operates in the same manner, feed being supplied to pipe 34 and passing in part, through openings 35, into upper chamber I3, and the balance passing, through openings 28, into lower chamber I4. The embodiment shown in Figs. l, 2 and 3 is generally preferable from the standpoint of controllability of the feed to the two chambers (by use of valves II and I8), while that of Fig. 4 is somewhat more simple to manufacture.

I claim:

1. In a nozzle assembly of the class described. a feed pipe, a first and a second nozzle mounted in opposed position on and around said feed pipe and concentrically therewith, forming a first and a second chamber respectively about said feed pipe with an orifice between said chambers through which orifice said feed pipe passes, conduit means for carrying a supply of liquid feed into said nozzle assembly, all of said conduit means being located above the trajectory of the spray from said orifice, means for dividing the entire quantity of said feed into two substantially equal parts, means for conducting the fiow of one of said two parts into said first chamber, and

means for conducting the flow of the other of said two parts through said feed pipe and sub- 4 stantially throughout the length of said nozzle assembly and into said second chamber, said two means for conducting fiow constituting the sole means for supplying feed to said first and second chambers and to said orifice, and said feed pipe constituting the sole support for and connection with said second nozzle and said second chamber.

2. In a nozzle assembly of the class described, a feed pipe, a first and a second nozzle mounted in opposed position on and around said feed pipe and concentrically therewith, forming a first and a second chamber respectively about said feed pipe with an orifice between said chambers through which orifice said feed pipe passes, an opening in said feed pipe leading into said first chamber, and another opening in said feed pipe leading into said second chamber, said feed pipe constituting the sole support for said second nozzle and said second chamber.

3. In a nozzle assembly of the class described, a feed pipe, a first and a second nozzle mounted in opposed position on and around said feed pipe and concentrically therewith forming a first and a second chamber respectively about said feed pipe with an orifice between said chambers through which orifice said feed pipe passes, an opening in said feed pipe leading into said first chamber, another opening in said feed pipe leading into said second chamber, said pipe and said openings being arranged to deliver all of the feed to said chambers in substantially an equal amount to each chamber, and means for supplying feed to said feed pipe, said feed pipe constituting the sole support for said second nozzle and said second chamber.

4. In a nozzle assembly of the class described, a first inlet feed pipe, a first and a second nozzle mounted in opposed position on and around said first inlet feed pipe and concentrically therewith, forming a first and a second chamber respectively about said first pipe with an orifice between said chambers, a second inlet feed pipe communicating with said first chamber, means for supplying liquid feed to each of said pipes from a common source, and means for transmitting all of the feed from said first pipe into said second chamber, said first pipe constituting the sole support for said second nozzle and said second chamber.

5. In a nozzle assembly of the class described, first and second inlet feed pipes attached to a first nozzle, a second nozzle in opposed position to said first nozzle, said first nozzle and said second nozzle being mounted on and around said rst pipe and concentrically therewith and forming a first and a second chamber respectively about said first pipe with an annular orifice between said chambers, common supply means for supplying liquid to said first and second pipes, and openings within said first pipe for transmitting all of the feed supplied to said first pipe to said second chamber, said second pipe being arranged to supply all of its feed to said first chamber, said first pipe constituting the sole support for said second nozzle and said second chamber.

6. In a nozzle assembly of the class described, a first inlet feed pipe, a first and a second nozzle mounted in opposed position on and around said first inlet feed pipe and concentrically therewith, forming a first and a second chamber respectively about said first pipe with an orifice between said chambers, a second inlet feed pipe communicating with said first chamber, means for supplying liquid feed to each of said pipes from a common source and on the same side of said orice, means for transmitting all of the feed from said first pipe into said second chamber, and means for controlling the supply of feed to each of said inlet pipes, said first pipe constituting the sole support for said second nozzle and said second chamber.

7. In a nozzle assembly of the class described, a first inlet feed pipe, a first and a second nozzle mounted in opposed position on and around said first inlet feed pipe and concentrically therewith, forming a first and a second chamber respectively about said rst pipe with an orice between said chambers, a second inlet feed pipe communicating with said rst chamber, means for supplying` liquid feed to each of said pipes from a common source and on the same side of said orice, means for transmitting all of the feed from said first pipe into said second chamber, and means for adjusting said orifice comprising means for moving said second nozzle axially toward and away from said first nozzle, said first pipe constituting the sole support for said second nozzle and said second chamber.

8. In a nozzle assembly of the class described, a first inlet feed pipe, a rst and a second nozzle mounted in opposed position on and around said first inlet feed pipe and conoentrically therewith, i'orming a rst and a second chamber respectively about said first pipe with an orifice between said chambers, a second inlet feed pipe communicating with said first chamber, means for supplying liquid feed to each of said pipes from a common source and on the same side of said orice, means I for transmitting all of the feed from said rst pipe into said second chamber, means for adjusting said orice comprising means for moving said second nozzle axially toward and away from said rst nozzle, spacer means for positioning the orifice openings of each of said nozzles concentric with said iirst pipe and uniformly annular, and means for controlling the supply of feed to each of said inlet pipes, said rst pipe constituting the sole support for said second nozzle and said second chamber.

BENJAMIN B. FOGLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 537,978 Jewell Apr. 23, 1895 629,181 Ulbrich July 18, 1899 648,411 Jaennigan May 1, 1900 1,087,242 Kelly Feb. 17, 1914 1,337,516 Holmes et al. Apr. 20, 1920 1,519,027 Garda Dec, 9, 1924 1,536,188 Brown May 5, 1925 1,653,297 Labelle Dec. 20, 1927 1,733,521 Wuesthoiic Oct. 29, 1929 1,891,909 Bills et al. Dec. 27, 1932 2,391,422 Jackson Dec. 25, 1945 2,408,282 Wolf Sept. 24, 1946 2,410,215 Houghton Oct. 29, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 16,852 Great Britain July 16, 1897 17,369 Great Britain Sept. 29, 1892 29,349 Great Britain Dec. 15, 1909 278,721 Italy Oct. 17, 1930 

